SOLO FEMALE travel in INDIA: My experience | Mistakes & Tips

Dreaming up or planning a trip to India? As a foreigner, especially a solo female traveler navigating this beautiful but complex country can be challenging. In this video, I share my personal experiences, the mistakes I've made, and the lessons I've learned as well as the things that I can't understand. And a bit of a rant :)

I hope this video inspires you to catch the travel bug, just like I did. India is a beautiful country, full of colors, diversity, and unforgettable experiences.

Embrace it with an open heart, and you will be forever changed! Please let me know if you have any questions or feedback in the comments.

0:00 Intro
00:53 Disclamer
01:17 Advice from the Internet
01:34 Is it safe as a solo woman
2:14 Don't think you know India
3:06 Not having patience
5:00 No sense of personal space
5:55 Wearing inappropriate clothes
6:37 Don't be scared to try food
8:11 Cheapest accommodation
9:00 Don't be too polite
9:27 Take answers with a grain of salt
9:56 Don't be scared or unconfident
10:39 Please tip and help when possible
11:20 Find different perspectives
12:46 What I couldn't understand
13:51 Please stop throwing garbage
15:29 Discrimination
16:51 Indian men and all men
19:00 Conclusion

Much love and blessings, Yana

• Instagram:
/ yanaslight

video title ideas
Embracing India as a solo female traveler
Tips for India as a solo female
Mistakes to avoid in India

#india #solotravel #newdelhi #agra #tajmahal #amritsar #punjab #solofemale #himachalpradesh

• Instagram:

[diguification]

Your take on everything has been honest and precise. Much appreciated.
1. Honking is...ingrained in the psyche in a way. Cars honk when they see you at visible distance from the road because they seek to warn you. Most understand that you can hear the car approaching, but they decide to 'play it' on the safer side of thigs. In India unintentional roadkill happens in volumes. But, honking at a solo girl traveler for reasons that have to with simple teasing are NOT to be ruled out either.
2. Indians DO NOT use toilet papers. Not generally. We prefer water and soap and towel. Toilet papers make us (most of us anyway) feel kinda unclean.
3. Tipping is purely voluntary here- it's not as toxic as it is in the USA. If you feel like it, you can tip. No pressure at all.
4. The enormous amount of paperwork are repetitive because centre and state have got different administrative setups and concerns and departments. Govt bureaucracy continues to be a migraine in India. There are advantages to this as well, but let's not go down that path.
5. COMPLTELY agree on an absence of cleanliness in the public place, lack of awareness about personal space and most importantly, the (typically north Indian) mentality of taking sexual advantage of solo women. This is VERY unfortunate and as an average Indian I genuine feel ashamed. There's NO excuse and I don't know if this will ever end. The ONLY silver lining is the hope that probably with time things MIGHT change for the better.
Take care and stay safe.

[IndiRationale]

A big like! As an Indian man I agree with what you said. I recommend traveling more to the North Eastern, South India side also Himachal and Ladakh. Please refrain from cities like Delhi, the guys there give the rest of us a really bad name.

[Joel.Gonsalves]

I have lived in India for 48 years. And I mirror your feelings ❤, that's why I love India ❤ Stay safe and blessed 🙏

[sunainayadavphd]

TBH this is the first time I've seen/heard a rational & mature take on India. Most other YouTubers add music & forced graphics which makes it very gimmicky.

[B.-rgms]

Just came back, literary, today from India. It was my fourth trip. It will take me a day to reset, and feel back as well, and the way to do it, slowly, naturally, is to watch videos like this.😊.Loved hearing your perspective!

[Vnzkb]

4:44 because we had a terrorist attack in Mumbai after that everything changed. Even when entering a shopping mall, a security guard will be scanning your bags.

[FranziskaKlaiber]

As a female who is going on a solo trip soon....I watched a lot of these videos. And the girls who did have very creepy situations all have one thing in common...they usually stayed in very cheap accommodation. In my opinion those are designed for Indian Men who need to travel for whatever reason and not for young, foreign backpackers in tank tops. Unfortunately I also saw bad feedback when booking a guided tour, as "tour" for westerners is a busload of people, while in India it is a guy and a driver and they sure take you for a ride😂 and so you imagine you are safer when on a tour...but actually it works to your disadvantage cause they take you to overpriced places and rip you off and get what they can out of you. I will make a video when I get back..haha

[apereira]

Very good take on India. Hope there will be change to keep environment clean.

[Steve-xlen]

Very interesting video. As someone who has traveled India extensively I think you nailed it perfectly. I think this was recommended to me because I watched another video from an Australian lady recently who had a really horrendous time in India. I am not saying she didn't experience what she did, however she was definitely not an experienced traveler, as I watched another of her videos and she had a hard time in Dubai as well.

[kamalgupta]

Your analysis about India is correct. Next time travel to north east india, you will have totally different experience. ❤

[human]

As an indian, tourist guide or indian friends can make your travel experience more safer and comfortable.
Showing to much body can be uncomfortable so, try to wear indian flag with traditional cloths .so many indians try to help you.
Go to a good rated restaurant indian street food can be harmful due to your immunity difference.
Don't travel in 3rd class trains because poor people may take your seats & stinky some times .
Its better to pay Little extra money for your personal safety & comfort.
All the best.
🇮🇳❤️🙏🏻

[anujbhadauriya]

Great to hear you and loved that you understand INDIA very well in comparison to other of love 💕

[rockstarjamie]

In india being polite with men does not work ...u got to be firm

[hkasina]

Many foreigners often complain about cleanliness in India, but I believe that much of this stems from choosing to eat or stay in places that are not up to their usual standards, often in the name of adventure and to save money for the months long trip. Unlike the US and EU, India offers food and accommodation at a wide range of price points. To receive decent service and cleanliness, one should aim for above-average establishments. However, I have noticed that some foreigners opt for entry-level options and then complain about the cleanliness. In contrast, the US and EU have minimal variations in price points for different income levels, making the quality more consistent.
Most of it comes from their expectation of a service level similar to their country, you can get that in India, but it would cost the same as their country.

[vineethmenon]

Atlast a honest youtuber, I like you 😂

[SidhantBhatnagar]

I’m from India. I agree with everything pointed. We have our own share of crazies. No doubt. But amazing culture too. Thanks.

[arunmahajan]

Thank you so much for you honest feedback/views

[carolinehey]

The arrival form is the same Italy. Everywhere we went, no matter if a small village or Milan, AirBnb or hotel - we had to fill in a form and leave a copy of our passports.

[Andrew_Cretu]

The second one is to comment from Moldova.
I have been there in May, absolutely mind-blowing country.

[orsoluna]

I have found your videos in June, before leaving for my first backpacking solo travel in Thailand. It was life changing and I am now transforming my life even more to make traveling my real home.
Now I’m looking into my next destination the Universe brought me back to you, so here I am again and subscribed to follow you and get inspired for my next journeys!

I really love your approach, keep it 🩵✨